JP6798246B2 - Supply device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a supply device including a tank capable of refilling liquid through a supply port.

A printer having a plurality of tanks capable of replenishing ink and a recording head for ejecting ink supplied from the tanks from a nozzle and recording an image on paper is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When the ink in the tank is consumed, the user can replenish the tank with the ink stored in the bottle from the supply port provided in the tank.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-51306

The tank is positioned relative to the printer housing and is connected, for example, to a coupling that has an ink flow path to the recording head. As a result, ink is supplied from the tank to the recording head. If the tank and the connecting portion are not accurately positioned with respect to the housing, a gap may be created between the tank and the connecting portion, and ink may leak from the gap.

On the other hand, in the printer disclosed in Patent Document 1, each tank has a configuration in which a film is attached to only one of a pair of surfaces, but a film is attached to both of the pair of surfaces to form each tank. If this is the case, the films in adjacent tanks may come into contact with each other and the films may be damaged. Therefore, it is desirable to secure a gap between adjacent tanks so that the films do not come into contact with each other even if the printer is subjected to the impact of transportation or dropping.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a supply device capable of accurately positioning a tank with respect to a connecting portion and supporting it in a housing. ..

(1) The supply device according to the present invention has a pair of first surfaces facing in a first direction along a horizontal direction, a second surface connecting the pair of first surfaces, and orthogonal to the first direction. A liquid storage chamber partitioned by a third surface away from the second surface in a second direction along the horizontal direction, a supply port for supplying liquid to the liquid storage chamber, and the second from the liquid storage chamber. A tank having a liquid supply unit having a liquid flow path extending in a direction, a holding member for holding a part of the tank from one of the second directions, and a liquid from the other of the second direction with respect to the tank. It includes a connecting member having a connecting portion that is connected to a supply portion to flow a liquid, and a housing that supports at least one of the holding member and the connecting member. The second surface and the third surface are composed of a tank body. At least a part of each of the pair of first surfaces is made of a film attached to the tank body. The holding member has a contact portion that comes into contact with the tank body from one of the second directions, and a first engaging portion that engages the tank body with the tank body so that the tank can move in the first direction.

In a state where the liquid supply part of the tank and the connecting part of the connecting member are connected, the contact part of the holding member comes into contact with the tank body from one of the second directions, so that the tank moves to one of the second directions. , The connection between the liquid supply part and the connecting part is prevented from being disconnected. Further, since the tank can move in the first direction in the state where the tank body and the first engaging portion of the holding member are engaged, the tank can be first moved with reference to the connecting position between the liquid supply portion and the connecting portion. Positioned with respect to direction.

(2) Preferably, the connecting member has a plurality of connecting parts that are connected to each liquid supply part in a state where the plurality of the tanks are arranged along the first direction, and the holding member is a holding member. It has a plurality of first engaging portions for engaging the plurality of tanks arranged along the first direction with a gap between them in the first direction.

By engaging each tank connected to each connecting portion with the first engaging portion, contact between the films of each tank is suppressed.

(3) Preferably, the connecting member has a second engaging portion that engages the tank body with the tank body so that the tank can move in the first direction.

By engaging the tank with the second engaging portion, contact between the films of the tank is further suppressed.

(4) Preferably, the holding member accommodates a part of the tank body so that the tank can move in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction, respectively.

According to the above configuration, the tank is positioned with respect to the third direction with reference to the connection position between the liquid supply unit and the connection unit.

(5) Preferably, the housing supports the holding member and the connecting member, respectively.

(6) Preferably, the connecting portion has a tube inserted into the liquid flow path.

(7) Preferably, the holding member has an opening that exposes a part of the tank body in the second direction.

According to the above configuration, with the holding member covering a part of the tank body, a part of the tank body made of a translucent material can be visually recognized through the opening. As a result, the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber can be visually recognized.

(8) Preferably, a part of the tank body exposed by the opening of the holding member is provided at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber is the first amount. A first mark and a second mark provided at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber is a second amount smaller than the first amount are provided. ..

According to the present invention, the tank can be accurately positioned with respect to the connecting portion and supported by the housing.

1A and 1B are external perspective views of the multifunction device 10. FIG. 1A shows a state in which the cover 70 is in the closed position, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which the cover 70 is in the open position. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the carriage 23 and the tank set 99. FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the ink tank 100, and FIG. 4B is a rear perspective view of the ink tank 100. FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of the ink tank 100B, and FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view of the ink tank 100B. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the tank set 99. FIG. 7A is an upward perspective view of the holding member 120, and FIG. 7B is a downward perspective view of the holding member 120. FIG. 8 is a partial vertical sectional view of the housing 14 and the holding member 120. 9 (A) is a front perspective view of the connecting member 200, and FIG. 9 (B) is a rear perspective view of the connecting member 200. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connecting member 200. FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state before the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M held by the holding member 120 are assembled to the connecting member 200. FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state when the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M held by the holding member 120 are assembled to the connecting member 200. FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M held by the holding member 120 are assembled to the connecting member 200.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. It goes without saying that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, in the following description, the direction from the start point to the end point of the arrow is expressed as the direction, and the traffic on the line connecting the start point and the end point of the arrow is expressed as the direction. In other words, orientation is a component of direction. Further, based on the posture in which the multifunction device 10 and the ink tank 100 installed in the multifunction device 10 are installed on a horizontal surface so that they can be used (the posture shown in FIG. 1 may be referred to as "use posture"). The vertical direction 7 is defined, the front-rear direction 8 (an example of the second direction) is defined with the surface of the multifunction device 10 where the opening 13 is provided as the front surface, and the multifunction device 10 is viewed from the front in the left-right direction 9 (first). An example of direction) is defined. In the present embodiment, in the usage posture, the vertical direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the horizontal direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction.

[Overall configuration of multifunction device 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 10 (an example of a supply device) has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The multifunction device 10 has a printer unit 11 at the bottom, which records an image on paper 12 (see FIG. 2) by an inkjet recording method. The printer unit 11 has a housing 14 having an opening 13 formed in the front wall 14A. As shown in FIG. 2, inside the housing 14, a feeding unit 15, a feeding tray 20, a discharge tray 21, a transport roller unit 54, a recording unit 24, a discharge roller unit 55, and the like, A platen 42, a tank set 99, a holding member 120 (see FIG. 1), and a connecting member 200 (see FIG. 6) are arranged. The multifunction device 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function.

[Feeding tray 20, discharge tray 21]
As shown in FIG. 1, the feed tray 20 is inserted and removed from the multifunction device 10 by the user along the front-rear direction 8 through the opening 13. The opening 13 is located on the front surface of the multifunction device 10 and at the center of the left-right direction 9. As shown in FIG. 2, the feed tray 20 can support a plurality of stacked sheets 12. The discharge tray 21 is arranged above the feed tray 20, and can be expanded and contracted independently of the feed tray 20 regardless of whether the feed tray 20 is inserted or removed. The discharge tray 21 supports the paper 12 discharged from between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42 by the discharge roller unit 55.

[Feeding section 15]
The feeding unit 15 feeds the paper 12 supported by the feeding tray 20 to the transport path 65. As shown in FIG. 2, the feeding unit 15 includes a feeding roller 25, a feeding arm 26, and a shaft 27. The feeding roller 25 is rotatably supported by the tip of the feeding arm 26. The feed roller 25 rotates in the direction of transporting the paper 12 in the transport direction 16 by reversing the transport motor (not shown). Hereinafter, the rotation of the feeding roller 25, the transport roller 60, and the discharge roller 62 in the direction of transporting the paper 12 in the transport direction 16 is referred to as “forward rotation”. The feeding arm 26 is rotatably supported by a shaft 27 supported by a frame of the printer unit 11. The feeding arm 26 is rotationally urged toward the feeding tray 20 by its own weight or an elastic force due to a spring or the like.

[Transport path 65]
As shown in FIG. 2, the transport path 65 refers to a space in which a part thereof is formed by the outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19 facing each other at predetermined intervals inside the printer unit 11. The transport path 65 is a path extending rearward from the rear end of the feed tray 20. The transport path 65 is a path that extends upward at the rear portion of the printer unit 11 and makes a U-turn forward to reach the discharge tray 21 through the space between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transport path 65 between the transport roller portion 54 and the discharge roller portion 55 is provided in the substantially central portion of the multifunction device 10 in the left-right direction 9, and is provided in the front-rear direction 8. It is extending. The transport direction 16 of the paper 12 in the transport path 65 is indicated by the arrow of the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

[Conveying roller unit 54]
As shown in FIG. 2, the transport roller unit 54 is arranged upstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction 16. The transfer roller unit 54 has a transfer roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 facing each other. The transfer roller 60 is driven by a transfer motor. The pinch roller 61 rotates with the rotation of the transport roller 60. The paper 12 is sandwiched between the transfer roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 that rotate forward by the forward rotation of the transfer motor, and is conveyed in the transfer direction 16.

[Discharge roller section 55]
As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge roller unit 55 is arranged downstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction 16. The discharge roller portion 55 has a discharge roller 62 and a spur 63 that face each other. The discharge roller 62 is driven by a transfer motor. The spur 63 rotates with the rotation of the discharge roller 62. The paper 12 is sandwiched between the discharge roller 62 and the spur 63 that rotate in the forward direction due to the forward rotation of the transfer motor, and is conveyed in the transfer direction 16.

[Recording unit 24]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 24 is arranged between the transport roller portion 54 and the discharge roller portion 55 in the transport direction 16. The recording unit 24 is arranged so as to face the platen 42 in the vertical direction 7 with the transport path 65 interposed therebetween. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 23 and a recording head 39.

As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 23 is supported by guide rails 43 and 44 extending in the left-right direction 9 at positions separated from each other in the front-rear direction 8. The guide rails 43 and 44 are supported by the frame of the printer unit 11. The carriage 23 is connected to a known belt mechanism provided on the guide rail 44. The belt mechanism is driven by a carriage motor (not shown). The carriage 23 connected to the belt mechanism reciprocates along the left-right direction 9 by driving the carriage motor. The moving range of the carriage 23 extends from the carrier path 65 to the right and left as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

An ink tube 32 and a flexible flat cable 33 extend from the carriage 23.

The ink tube 32 connects the tank set 99 and the recording head 39. The ink tube 32 is an ink (liquid) stored in four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M (these may be collectively referred to as "ink tank 100") constituting the tank set 99. An example) is supplied to the recording head 39. The ink tank 100 is an example of a tank. In detail, four ink tubes 32B, 32Y, 32C, and 32M (these are collectively referred to as "ink tube 32") in which inks of each color (black, magenta, cyan, and yellow) are distributed may be referred to as "ink tube 32". ) Are extended from the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, respectively, and are connected to the carriage 23 in a bundled state.

The flexible flat cable 33 electrically connects a control board on which a control unit (not shown) is mounted and a recording head 39. The flexible flat cable 33 transmits a control signal output from the control unit to the recording head 39.

As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 23 is equipped with a recording head 39. A plurality of nozzles 40 are arranged on the lower surface of the recording head 39. The tips of the plurality of nozzles 40 are exposed from the lower surface of the recording head 39. The recording head 39 ejects ink from the nozzle 40 as minute ink droplets. In the process of moving the carriage 23, the recording head 39 ejects ink droplets toward the paper 12 supported by the platen 42. As a result, the image is recorded on the paper 12. In addition, this consumes the ink stored in the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M.

[Platen 42]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the platen 42 is arranged between the transport roller portion 54 and the discharge roller portion 55 in the transport direction 16. The platen 42 is arranged so as to face the recording unit 24 in the vertical direction 7 with the transport path 65 interposed therebetween. The platen 42 supports the paper 12 conveyed by the conveying roller portion 54 from below.

[Cover 70]
As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 22 is formed in the right portion of the front wall 14A of the housing 14. A cover 70 is attached to the housing 14 so as to cover the opening 22. The cover 70 is rotatable between a closing position for closing the opening 22 (the position shown in FIG. 1A) and an opening position for opening the opening 22 (the position shown in FIG. 1B). is there.

A pair of convex portions (not shown) are formed in the vicinity of the lower end of the opening 22 in the housing 14. The pair of convex portions face each other in the left-right direction 9. Of the pair of convex portions, the right convex portion projects to the left toward the left convex portion. Of the pair of convex portions, the left convex portion projects to the right toward the right convex portion. By inserting the pair of convex portions of the housing 14 into the holes formed in the cover 70, the cover 70 can rotate around the rotation axis 70A extending in the left-right direction 9 in the vicinity of the lower end of the housing 14. , Supported by the housing 14.

An opening 97 is formed in the cover 70. When the cover 70 is in the closed position, a part of each of the ink tank 100 and the holding member 120 is visible from the outside through the opening 97.

[Tank set 99]
The tank set 99 stores the ink supplied to the recording head 39. As shown in FIG. 6, the tank set 99 includes four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M, a holding member 120, and a connecting member 200.

Ink of different colors is stored in each ink tank 100. Specifically, black ink is stored in the ink tank 100B, yellow ink is stored in the ink tank 100Y, cyan ink is stored in the ink tank 100C, and magenta ink is stored in the ink tank 100M. However, the number of ink tanks 100 and the color of ink are not limited to the above examples. The configuration of each ink tank 100 will be described later.

The holding member 120 and the connecting member 200 hold the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M in a line along the left-right direction 9. The configuration of the holding member 120 and the connecting member 200 will be described later.

The four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are arranged side by side in a row along the left-right direction 9. Of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, the ink tank 100B is arranged on the far right and the ink tank 100M is arranged on the far left. The arrangement position of the ink tank 100 is not limited to the above. The ink tank 100B has a larger size than the other ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M, and particularly has a width in the left-right direction 9. The size relationship of the ink tank 100 is not limited to the above. The ink tank 100B has a larger allowable ink storage amount than the other ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M. The magnitude relationship of the allowable storage amount of the ink tank 100 is not limited to the above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tank set 99 is stationary inside the housing 14 at the right front portion of the housing 14. In other words, the tank set 99 is fixed to the multifunction device 10 so that it cannot be easily removed from the multifunction device 10. Note that "cannot be easily removed" means, for example, that the user cannot easily remove the tank set 99 from the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10 under normal use conditions, and is skilled. This is intended to exclude the case where the repairer removes the tank set 99 from the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10 for repair. Therefore, it is sufficient that the user cannot easily remove the tank set 99 from the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10 under normal use conditions.

[Ink tank 100]
The configuration of the ink tank 100 will be described in detail below. Since the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M have the same configuration, one of the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M will be referred to as an ink tank 100, and the configuration will be described below. Further, since the configuration of the ink tank 100B is similar to the configuration of the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, 100M, the portion different from the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, 100M after the explanation of the configuration of the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, 100M. The configuration is explained. In this case, even if the shapes of the ink tank 100B and the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M are slightly different, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations having the same functions. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the multifunction device 10 and the ink tank 100 stationary in the multifunction device 10 are in a usage posture.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ink tank 100 is composed of a housing 140 that forms the outer shape of the ink tank. The housing 140 includes a tank body 141 and two films 142 and 143.

As a whole, the tank body 141 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the dimensions along the left-right direction 9 are short and the dimensions along the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 are longer than the dimensions along the left-right direction 9. Further, the dimension of the front-rear direction 8 is longer than the dimension of the vertical direction 7.

The tank body 141 is made of a resin having a translucency such that the ink in the ink chamber 111 can be visually recognized from the outside of the ink tank 100. The tank body 141 is made of polypropylene, for example. The tank body 141 is integrally molded, for example, by injection molding a resin material. The rigidity of the tank body 141 is higher than the rigidity of the films 142 and 143.

The tank body 141 may be made of a material other than resin. Further, the tank body 141 may have a configuration in which a plurality of members are combined.

The tank body 141 includes a front wall 101, a left wall 103, an upper wall 104, a lower wall 105, a rear wall 110, and an inner wall 107.

The front wall 101 is composed of a standing wall 102 and an inclined wall 106. The vertical wall 102 extends in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9. The inclined wall 106 is a wall connecting the upper end of the vertical wall 102 and the front end of the upper wall 104. The inclined wall 106 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8.

The front surface 102A of the vertical wall 102 and the front surface 106A of the inclined wall 106 in each ink tank 100, that is, the front surface of the tank body 141 of each ink tank 100 (an example of the second surface) are the opening 97 of the cover 70 and the opening of the housing 14. It is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 via 22. That is, the front surface of the tank body 141 of each ink tank 100 faces the outside of the housing 14. That is, each ink tank 100 is arranged in the housing 14 so that the front surface of the tank body 141 of each ink tank 100 can be accessed from the outside of the housing 14 through the opening 22 and the opening 97. With such a configuration, the front surface of the tank body 141 of each ink tank 100 can be visually recognized from the front of the multifunction device 10, and the user can check the remaining amount of ink stored in each ink tank 100. is there.

The left wall 103 is a wall extending rearward from the left end of the front wall 101. The upper end of the left wall 103 is connected to the front portion of the upper wall 104. The lower end of the left wall 103 is connected to the front portion of the lower wall 105. In other words, the left wall 103 is a wall that connects the left end of the front wall 101, the front left end of the upper wall 104, and the front left end of the lower wall 105. That is, the left wall 103 is provided only on the front portion of the tank main body 141, and is not provided on the rear portion of the tank main body 141.

The upper wall 104 extends rearward from the upper end of the front wall 101 (the rear end of the inclined wall 106). The front portion of the upper wall 104 is connected to the upper end of the left wall 103.

The lower wall 105 is a wall extending rearward from the lower end of the front wall 101. The lower wall 105 is formed downward away from the upper wall 104. As described above, the front portion of the lower wall 105 is connected to the lower end of the left wall 103.

A plurality of inner walls 107 are arranged in a space surrounded by a front wall 101, a left wall 103, an upper wall 104, a lower wall 105, and a rear wall 110.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the right side of the tank body 141 is open. The right surface of the tank body 141 is sealed by welding the film 142 to the right surfaces of the front wall 101, the lower wall 105, the rear wall 110, the upper wall 104, and the inner wall 107.

As shown in FIG. 4 (B), the rear portion of the left surface of the tank body 141 is open. The left surface of the tank body 141 is sealed by welding the film 143 to the left surfaces of the lower wall 105, the rear wall 110, the upper wall 104, and the inner wall 107.

The front surface of the tank body 141 (front surface 102A of the vertical wall 102 and front surface 106A of the inclined wall 106) is connected by a front end on the right side of the tank body 141 and a front end on the left side of the tank body 141. The rear surface of the tank body 141 (rear surface 110A of the rear wall 110) is connected by the rear end of the right surface of the tank body 141 and the rear end of the left surface of the tank body 141. The rear surface 110A of the tank body 141 is separated from the front surface 102A in the front-rear direction 8. The rear surface 110A is an example of the third surface. The right surface of the tank body 141 and the left surface of the tank body 141 face each other in the left-right direction 9. The right and left surfaces of the tank body 141 are an example of a pair of first surfaces.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the front surface 102A of the standing wall 102 of the front wall 101 includes a first line 146 (an example of a first mark) and a second line 147 (an example of a second mark).

The first line 146 extends in the left-right direction 9. The position of the first line 146 in the vertical direction 7 is the position of the ink when the maximum amount of ink (an example of the first amount) that can be stored is stored in the ink chamber 111 in the usage posture of the multifunction device 10. It is the same height as the liquid level. That is, the first line 146 is provided at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the maximum amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is reached. The position of the first line 146 in the vertical direction 7 is not limited to the same height as the liquid level of the ink when the maximum amount of ink is stored in the ink chamber 111.

The second line 147 extends in the left-right direction 9. The second line 147 is located below the first line 146. Specifically, the position of the second line 147 in the vertical direction 7 is the liquid level of the ink when the multifunction device 10 is stored in the ink chamber 111 in an amount smaller than the maximum amount in the usage posture. It is the same height. In the present embodiment, at the position 7 in the vertical direction of the second line 147, the minimum amount (an example of the second amount) of ink that requires replenishment of ink is stored in the ink chamber 111 when the ink tank 100 is in the usage posture. At the same height as the liquid level of the ink. That is, the second line 147 is provided at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is the minimum amount.

As shown in FIG. 4, a convex portion 108 is formed on the upper wall 104. The convex portion 108 is composed of a plate portion 121 and a rib 122. The plate portion 121 has an inclined surface 123 that goes upward as it goes backward. The rib 122 is arranged so as to connect the plate portion 121 and the upper wall 104. The rib 122 is formed in front of and behind the plate portion 121. The rib 122 extends along the front-rear direction 8. The rib 122 is shorter in the left-right direction 9 than the plate portion 121. With such a configuration, the convex portion 108 bends downward by acting on the inclined surface 123 by a force in at least one of the rearward or downward directions.

A convex portion 109 is formed on the lower wall 105. The convex portion 109 is composed of a plate portion 124 and a rib 125. The plate portion 124 has an inclined surface 126 that goes downward toward the rear. The rib 125 is arranged so as to connect the plate portion 124 and the lower wall 105. The rib 125 is arranged so as to connect the plate portion 124 and the lower wall 105. The rib 125 is formed in front of and behind the plate portion 124. The rib 125 extends along the front-rear direction 8. The rib 125 is shorter in the left-right direction 9 than the plate portion 124. With such a configuration, the convex portion 109 bends upward by acting on the inclined surface 126 by a force in at least one of the rearward and upward directions.

Convex portions 131 and 132 are formed on the upper wall 104. The convex portion 131 is formed in front of the convex portion 108. The convex portion 132 is formed behind the convex portion 108. The protrusions 131 and 132 extend along the left-right direction 9.

A convex portion 133 is formed on the lower wall 105. The convex portion 133 is formed on the sub lower wall 105A. The sub lower wall 105A is formed in the front portion of the lower wall 105 and is located above the lower wall 105.

A convex portion 134 is formed on the lower wall 105. The convex portion 134 is formed behind the convex portion 109. The convex portion 134 extends along the left-right direction 9.

A convex portion 135 is formed on the sub lower wall 105A. The convex portion 135 extends along the left-right direction 9. In the present embodiment, the convex portion 135 extends from the convex portion 133 to the right and left.

A convex portion 136 is formed on the upper wall 104. The convex portion 136 is formed behind the convex portion 108 and the convex portion 132. The convex portion 136 extends along the front-rear direction 8.

[Ink chamber 111]
As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 140 has an ink chamber 111 (an example of a liquid storage chamber) inside the housing 140. The ink chamber 111 is an internal space of the ink tank 100, and ink is stored in the ink chamber 111. The ink chamber 111 is partitioned by a front wall 101, a left wall 103, an upper wall 104, a lower wall 105, a rear wall 110, an inner wall 107, a film 142, and a film 143. That is, the ink chamber 111 is partitioned by the right side of the tank body 141 made of the film 142 and the left side of the tank body 141 made of the left wall 103 and the film 143. The ink chamber 111 is divided into a plurality of parts by the inner wall 107.

In this embodiment, the right side of the ink chamber 111 is partitioned by the left side of the film 142. That is, the entire right surface of the ink chamber 111 is made of the film 142. Further, the left side of the ink chamber 111 is partitioned by the right side of the film 143 and the right side of the left wall 103. That is, a part of the left surface of the ink chamber 111 is made of the film 143.

The right side of the ink chamber 111 may be partitioned by the film 142 and the wall. That is, a part of the right side of the ink chamber 111 may be made of the film 142. Further, the left surface of the ink chamber 111 may be partitioned only by the film 143. That is, the entire left surface of the ink chamber 111 may be made of the film 143.

In the usage posture of the multifunction device 10, in other words, when the upper wall 104 constitutes the upper portion of the ink tank 100 and the lower wall 105 constitutes the lower portion of the ink tank 100, the maximum amount of ink that can be stored in the ink chamber 111 ( When the ink of the first amount (an example of the first amount) is stored, the liquid level of the ink is the same height as the first line 146.

In the usage posture of the multifunction device 10, in other words, when the upper wall 104 constitutes the upper part of the ink tank 100 and the lower wall 105 constitutes the lower part of the ink tank 100, the ink chamber 111 needs to be replenished with ink. When the amount of ink (an example of the second amount) is stored, the liquid level of the ink is the same height as the second line 147.

[Ink outflow path 114]
As shown in FIG. 4B, the housing 140 includes an ink outflow path 114. The ink outflow passage 114 is a continuous passage for discharging the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 to the outside of the ink tank 100.

One end of the ink outflow path 114 communicates with the ink chamber 111 through an opening 149 and an opening 150 (see FIG. 11) formed at the boundary between the lower wall 105 and the rear wall 110. The other end of the ink outflow path 114 communicates with the protrusion 157 (an example of the liquid supply section) through an opening 156 (see FIG. 11) formed in the rear wall 110. The opening 156 is located above the openings 149 and 150.

The protruding portion 157 projects rearward from the peripheral portion of the opening 156 of the rear surface 110A (an example of the third surface) of the rear wall 110, that is, toward the outside of the ink tank 100. Here, in a state where the tank set 99 is stationary inside the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10, the rear surface 110A of the rear wall 110 faces inward of the housing 14. That is, the protruding portion 157 protrudes inward of the housing 14. The protrusion 157 is hollow. The front end of the internal space of the protrusion 157 communicates with the ink outflow path 114 by an opening 156. The rear end of the internal space of the protrusion 157 communicates with the outside of the ink tank 100 by an opening 158.

As shown in FIG. 11, a seal member 160 is provided at the protruding end of the protruding portion 157. The seal member 160 is a disk-shaped member having elasticity such as rubber. The seal member 160 is in liquid-tight contact with the protruding end of the protruding portion. A through hole is formed in the center of the seal member 160. The ink needle 223 (an example of a tube) of the connecting member 200 is inserted into the through hole of the sealing member 160. The ink needle 223 is directly or indirectly connected to the ink tube 32. As a result, the ink that has entered the internal space of the protrusion 157 from the ink outflow path 114 through the opening 156 flows out to the ink tube 32 through the ink needle 223.

Below the protruding portion 157, a convex portion 137 protruding downward from the rear end of the lower wall 105 is formed. The convex portion 137 enters the groove 210 (see FIG. 9) when the ink tank 100 is connected to the connecting member 200.

From the above, the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 communicates with the nozzle 40 of the recording head 39 via the ink outflow path 114, the internal space of the protrusion 157, the ink needle 223, and the ink tube 32.

[Atmospheric passage 170]
As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 140 has an atmospheric communication passage 170. The atmospheric communication passage 170 is a communication passage for communicating the ink chamber 111 and the outside of the ink tank 100. In other words, the atmospheric communication passage 170 is a communication passage for opening the ink chamber 111 to the atmosphere.

One end of the atmospheric communication passage 170 communicates with the ink chamber 111 through openings 144 and 145. The other end of the atmospheric communication passage 170 communicates with the atmospheric opening 187 formed on the upper wall 104.

A semipermeable membrane 183 is attached between one end and the other end of the atmospheric passage 170 so as to block the atmospheric passage 170. The semipermeable membrane 183 is a porous membrane having minute pores that block the passage of ink and allow the passage of gas. For example, the semitransparent film 183 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, or tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer. It consists of fluororesin such as. As a result, the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is blocked by the semipermeable membrane 183 and cannot flow out to the outside of the ink tank 100 through the atmosphere opening 187. On the other hand, air can freely move between the inside of the ink chamber 111 and the outside of the ink tank 100.

As shown in FIG. 4B, a labyrinth 179 is formed between the position where the semipermeable membrane 183 is attached in the atmospheric passage 170 and the atmospheric opening 187. The labyrinth 179 is a continuous passage extending along the front-rear direction 8 while repeating U-turns in the up-down direction 7 by providing a plurality of partition walls 186 extending in the vertical direction 7 side by side in the front-rear direction 8.

[Supply port 112]
The inclined wall 106 of the ink tank 100 is formed with a supply port 112 for injecting ink into the ink chamber 111. The supply port 112 penetrates the inclined wall 106 in the thickness direction to communicate the ink chamber 111 to the outside of the ink tank 100.

The inclined wall 106 and the supply port 112 are exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through the opening 22 by locating the cover 70 in the open position. The posture (injection posture) of the ink tank 100 when ink is injected into the ink chamber 111 through the supply port 112 is a usage posture. That is, when the ink tank 100 is in the use posture, ink is injected into the ink chamber 111 through the supply port 112.

[Ink tank 100B]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the ink tank 100B will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the ink tank 100B is longer in the left-right direction 9 than the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M (see FIG. 4).

Hereinafter, the ink tank 100B will be described with respect to parts different from the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M. The parts of the ink tank 100B having the same configurations as the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 4, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the difference between the configuration of the predetermined portion in the ink tank 100B and the configuration of the portion corresponding to the predetermined portion of the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, 100M is that the configuration of the predetermined portion in the ink tank 100B is 9 in the left-right direction. In the case of only the point of being long, the portion corresponding to the predetermined portion in the ink tank 100B is designated by the same reference numeral as in FIG. 4, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ink tank 100B does not have the left wall 103 (see FIG. 4B) that the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, 100M have, but has a right wall 159. The right wall 159 is a wall extending rearward from the right end of the front wall 101. The upper end of the right wall 159 is connected to the front portion of the upper wall 104. The lower end of the right wall 159 is connected to the front portion of the lower wall 105. In other words, the right wall 159 is a wall that connects the right end of the front wall 101, the front right end of the upper wall 104, and the front right end of the lower wall 105. That is, the right wall 159 is provided only in the front portion of the tank body 141, and is not provided in the rear portion of the tank body 141.

[Holding member 120]
As shown in FIG. 6, the holding member 120 holds four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M in a line from the front in the front-rear direction 8 along the left-right direction 9. ..

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the holding member 120 includes a front wall 71, a right wall 72, a left wall 73, an upper wall 74, and a lower wall 75.

The front wall 71 is composed of a standing wall 76 and a sloping wall 77. The vertical wall 76 extends in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9. The inclined wall 77 is a wall connecting the upper end of the standing wall 76 and the front end of the upper wall 74. The inclined wall 77 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8.

The right wall 72 is a wall extending rearward from the right end of the front wall 71. The left wall 73 is a wall extending rearward from the left end of the front wall 71. The upper wall 74 is a wall extending rearward from the upper end of the front wall 71 (specifically, the upper end of the inclined wall 77). The right end of the upper wall 74 is connected to the upper end of the right wall 72. The left end of the upper wall 74 is connected to the upper end of the left wall 73. The lower wall 75 is a wall extending rearward from the lower end of the front wall 71. The right end of the lower wall 75 is connected to the lower end of the right wall 72. The left end of the lower wall 75 is connected to the lower end of the left wall 73.

A cylindrical convex portion 78 extending downward is formed on the lower wall 75. The convex portions 78 are formed on the right end portion and the left end portion of the lower wall 75, respectively. As shown in FIG. 8, the convex portion 78 is inserted into the hole 162 formed in the bottom plate 161 of the housing 14 of the printer portion 11.

A cylindrical convex portion 84 extending upward is formed on the upper wall 74. The convex portion 84 is formed near the center of the upper wall 74 in the left-right direction 9. As shown in FIG. 8, the convex portion 84 is inserted into the hole 164 formed in the middle plate 163 of the housing 14 of the printer portion 11. In this way, the holding member 120 is fixed and supported on the housing 14 while holding the ink tank 100.

As shown in FIG. 7, the front wall 71, the right wall 72, the left wall 73, the upper wall 74, and the lower wall 75 form an internal space 127 of the holding member 120. As shown in FIG. 6, four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are inserted from the rear toward the internal space 127. As a result, the front parts of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M occupy the internal space 127.

As shown in FIG. 7B, a plurality of openings 79 are formed at the rear portion of the upper wall 74. Each opening 79 corresponds to four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M. That is, in the present embodiment, four openings 79 are formed. The opening 79 is formed at a position corresponding to the convex portion 108 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the ink tank 100 in a state where the ink tank 100 is inserted into the internal space 127.

As shown in FIG. 7A, a plurality of openings 80 are formed at the rear portion of the lower wall 75. Each opening 80 corresponds to four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. That is, in the present embodiment, four openings 80 are formed. The opening 80 is formed at a position corresponding to the convex portion 109 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the ink tank 100 when the ink tank 100 is inserted into the internal space 127.

A plurality of openings 69 are formed in the lower wall 75. Each opening 69 corresponds to four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. That is, in the present embodiment, four openings 69 are formed. Each opening 69 is formed in front of the opening 80. The opening 69 extends along the anteroposterior direction 8. The opening 69 is formed at a position corresponding to the convex portion 133 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the ink tank 100 in a state where the ink tank 100 is inserted into the internal space 127.

In the process of inserting the ink tank 100 into the internal space 127, the plate portion 121 of the convex portion 108 comes into contact with the surface 74A on the internal space 127 side of the upper wall 74, is pressed, and bends downward. Further, the plate portion 124 of the convex portion 109 comes into contact with the surface 75A on the internal space 127 side of the lower wall 75, is pressed, and bends upward. When the ink tank 100 is further inserted, the rib 122 and the plate portion 121 are in a state of being inserted into the opening 79. Further, the rib 125 and the plate portion 124 are in a state of being inserted into the opening 80. As a result, the bending of the convex portions 108 and 109 is eliminated. The ink tank 100 is slightly movable in the vertical direction 7 within the range in which the convex portions 108 and 109 are bent in the internal space 127 of the holding member 120.

In this state, the convex portion 108 is engaged with the opening 79. Further, in this state, the convex portion 109 is engaged with the opening 80. The openings 79 and 80 are examples of the first engaging portion.

When the ink tank 100 tries to move forward with respect to the holding member 120 in a state where the convex portion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged, the convex portion 108 comes into contact with the front edge surface 79A that partitions the front end of the opening 79. As a result, the forward movement of the ink tank 100 with respect to the holding member 120 is restricted. Further, when the ink tank 100 tries to move backward with respect to the holding member 120 in a state where the convex portion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged, the convex portion 108 and the trailing edge surface 79B for partitioning the rear end of the opening 79. Contact. As a result, the backward movement of the ink tank 100 with respect to the holding member 120 is restricted. However, in the front-rear direction 8, the outer shape of the opening 79 is slightly larger than the outer shape of the convex portion 108. Therefore, when the convex portion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged, the ink tank 100 is moved back and forth with respect to the holding member 120. It can move slightly in direction 8.

When the ink tank 100 tries to move forward with respect to the holding member 120 in a state where the convex portion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged, the convex portion 109 comes into contact with the front edge surface 80A that partitions the front end of the opening 80. As a result, the forward movement of the ink tank 100 with respect to the holding member 120 is restricted. Further, when the ink tank 100 tries to move rearward with respect to the holding member 120 in a state where the convex portion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged, the convex portion 109 and the trailing edge surface 80B for partitioning the rear end of the opening 80. Contact. As a result, the backward movement of the ink tank 100 with respect to the holding member 120 is restricted. However, in the front-rear direction 8, the outer shape of the opening 80 is slightly larger than the outer shape of the convex portion 109. Therefore, when the convex portion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged, the ink tank 100 is moved back and forth with respect to the holding member 120. It can move slightly in direction 8.

As described above, the convex portion 108 comes into contact with the edge surface of the opening 79, and the convex portion 109 comes into contact with the edge surface of the opening 80, so that the ink tank 100 is positioned so as to be slightly movable in the front-rear direction 8.

Further, in a state where the convex portion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged and the convex portion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged, the convex portions 131 and 132 come into contact with the surface 74A on the internal space 127 side of the upper wall 74. The convex portions 134 and 135 are in contact with the surface 75A on the internal space 127 side of the lower wall 75. As a result, the ink tank 100 is positioned in the vertical direction 7. However, there is a slight gap between the convex portions 131 and 132 and the surface 74A, and there is a slight gap between the convex portions 134 and 135 and the surface 75A. Therefore, the ink tank 100 is positioned by the holding member 120 so as to be slightly movable in the vertical direction 7.

Further, the rib 122 is inserted into the opening 79 in a state where the convex portion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged and the convex portion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged. When the ink tank 100 tries to move to the right with respect to the holding member 120 while the rib 122 is inserted into the opening 79, the rib 122 comes into contact with the right edge surface 79C that partitions the right end of the opening 79. Further, when the ink tank 100 tries to move to the left with respect to the holding member 120 in a state where the rib 122 is inserted into the opening 79, the rib 122 comes into contact with the left edge surface 79D that partitions the left end of the opening 79. However, since the outer shape of the opening 79 is slightly larger than the outer shape of the rib 122 in the left-right direction 9, the ink tank 100 is 9 in the left-right direction with respect to the holding member 120 in a state where the rib 122 and the opening 79 are engaged. Can be moved slightly to.

Further, in a state where the convex portion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged and the convex portion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged, the convex portion 133 is inserted into the opening 69. When the ink tank 100 tries to move to the right with respect to the holding member 120 in a state where the convex portion 133 is inserted into the opening 69, the convex portion 133 comes into contact with the right edge surface 69A that partitions the right end of the opening 69. Further, when the ink tank 100 tries to move to the left with respect to the holding member 120 in a state where the convex portion 133 is inserted into the opening 69, the convex portion 133 hits the left edge surface 69B that partitions the left end of the opening 69. Contact. However, since the outer shape of the opening 69 is slightly larger than the outer shape of the convex portion 133 in the left-right direction 9, the ink tank 100 is left and right with respect to the holding member 120 in a state where the convex portion 133 and the opening 69 are engaged. It can move slightly in direction 9.

As described above, the rib 122 abuts on the edge surface of the opening 79 and the convex portion 133 abuts on the edge surface of the opening 69, so that the ink tank 100 can move slightly in the left-right direction 9 with respect to the holding member 120. Positioned to. The openings 79 and 69 are examples of the first engaging portion.

As shown in FIG. 6, a gap 98 is formed between adjacent ink tanks 100 in a state of being positioned in the left-right direction 9. As described above, as shown in FIG. 10, the holding member 120 holds the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M in a line in a line along the left-right direction 9. The arrangement order of the ink tanks 100 is the ink tank 100B, the ink tank 100Y, the ink tank 100C, and the ink tank 100M in order from the right.

As shown in FIG. 11, in a state where the holding member 120 holds the ink tank 100, the front wall 71 covers the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100, and the upper wall 74 is the upper wall 104 of the ink tank 100. The lower wall 75 covers the front part of the lower wall 105 of the ink tank 100.

Further, in a state where the holding member 120 holds the ink tank 100, the right wall 72 covers the front portion (right wall 159) of the right side of the ink tank 100B arranged to the rightmost of the four ink tanks 100. The left wall 73 covers the front portion (left wall 103) of the left surface of the ink tank 100M arranged on the leftmost side of the four ink tanks 100. That is, the holding member 120 is a surface (right surface of the ink tank 100B) located on the outer side in the left-right direction 9 of the right and left surfaces of the ink tanks 100B and 100M located at both left and right ends of the plurality of ink tanks 100 held. , And the left side of the ink tank 100M).

From the above, the holding member 120 covers the front portion of the ink tank 100 in a state of holding the ink tank 100.

As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of openings 81 are formed in the vertical wall 76 of the front wall 71 of the holding member 120. The openings 81 are formed at intervals of 9 in the left-right direction. Each opening 81 corresponds to four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. That is, in the present embodiment, four openings 81 are formed. In the present embodiment, the shape of each opening 81 is rectangular, but the shape may be other than rectangular.

As shown in FIG. 11, in a state where the holding member 120 holds each ink tank 100, the vertical wall 102 of the front wall 101 of each ink tank 100 can be exposed to the outside of the holding member 120 through the opening 81. .. Specifically, the front surface 102A of the standing wall 102 and the first line 146 and the second line 147 formed on the front surface 102A can be exposed. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the holding member 120 holds each ink tank 100 and the cover 70 is in the closed position, the vertical wall 102 of each ink tank 100 opens the opening 81 and the cover of the holding member 120. It can be exposed to the outside of the printer unit 11 through the opening 97 of the 70.

Convex portions 81A (an example of abutting portions) projecting toward the internal space 127 of the holding member 120 are formed on the upper and lower portions of the peripheral edge of each opening 81. In a state where the holding member 120 holds each ink tank 100, the vertical wall 102 of the front wall 101 of each ink tank 100 comes into contact with the convex portion 81A on the peripheral edge of the opening 81. As a result, the position in front of each ink tank 100 with respect to the holding member 120 is determined.

As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of openings 82 are formed in the inclined wall 77 of the front wall 71 of the holding member 120. The openings 82 are formed at intervals of 9 in the left-right direction. Each opening 82 corresponds to four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. That is, in the present embodiment, four openings 82 are formed. In the present embodiment, the shape of each opening 82 is circular, but it may be a shape other than circular.

As shown in FIG. 11, in a state where the holding member 120 holds each ink tank 100, the supply port 112 of each ink tank 100 can be exposed to the outside of the holding member 120 through the opening 82.

As shown in FIG. 7, a cap attachment portion 155 to which the cap 113 described later is attached is formed on the front portion of the upper wall 74 of the holding member 120.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, the cap mounting portion 155 is partitioned by ribs 151 and 152 extending in the left-right direction 9 and a plurality of ribs 153 extending in the front-rear direction 8. .. The rib 152 is formed behind the rib 151. Gap 154 is formed at a plurality of positions of the rib 151. Each gap 154 is formed behind each opening 82. The position of each gap 154 in the left-right direction 9 is the same as the position of each opening 82 in the left-right direction 9. Each rib 153 connects the rib 151 and the rib 152. Each rib 153 is formed on both outer sides of each gap 154 in the left-right direction 9.

The cap mounting portion 155 is not limited to the configuration including the ribs 151, 152, and 153 described above as long as the cap 113 can be mounted.

[Connecting member 200]
As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting member 200 holds four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M in a line from the rear in the front-rear direction 8 along the left-right direction 9. .. The connecting member 200 has a support main body 201 and a connecting portion 202. As shown in FIG. 9, the connecting member 200 is formed by combining the connecting portion 202 from the rear of the support main body 201. In the present embodiment, the support main body 201 and the connecting portion 202 are configured as separate members, but the supporting main body 201 and the connecting portion 202 may be integrally formed.

As shown in FIG. 9, the support body 201 has a base portion 203, an upright portion 204, and a collar portion 205. The upright portion 204 rises upward from the rear end portion of the base portion 203. The collar portion 205 extends forward from the upper end portion of the upright portion 204.

The base portion 203 is a substantially rectangular flat plate. On the upper surface of the base portion 203, four grooves 210 extending along the front-rear direction 8 are formed. The front end of the groove 210 is open forward. The width of each groove 210 in the left-right direction 9 is slightly larger than the width of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. Each groove 210 has a convex portion 137 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that enters when the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M integrally held by the holding member 120 are connected to the connecting member 200. By doing so, it functions as a guide that enables sliding in the front-rear direction 8 while positioning the left-right direction 9.

Two recesses 211 and 212 are formed in the base portion 203 at positions that do not overlap with the groove 210. The recesses 211 and 212 are arranged at positions separated from each other in the left-right direction 9. Through holes 213 and 214 that penetrate the base portion 203 in the vertical direction 7 are formed in the recesses 211 and 212, respectively. The screws inserted through the through holes 213 and 214 are screwed into the screw holes of the housing 14, and the heads of the screws come into contact with the recesses 211 and 212 to fix and support the base portion 203 to the housing 14. ..

The width of the upright portion 204 in the left-right direction 9 is substantially the same as the width of the base portion 203. An opening 215 (see FIG. 6) penetrating in the front-rear direction 8 is formed in the upright portion 204 at a position corresponding to the rear end of each groove 210. Through the opening 215, the guide cylinder 222 of the connecting portion 202 projects from the rear to the front of the standing portion 204.

In the left-right direction 9, partition plates 216 extending along the vertical direction 7 are provided between the openings 215. Each partition plate 216 suppresses ink from scattering and adhering from one of the ink needles 223 of the adjacent connecting portions 202 to the other.

Above each opening 215, a rod 217 projecting forward is provided. The rear wall 110 of each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M abuts on the front end of each rod 217, thereby determining the position behind each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M.

The width of the collar portion 205 in the left-right direction 9 is substantially the same as the width of the upright portion 204. An opening 218 (an example of a second engaging portion) that penetrates the flange portion 205 in the vertical direction 7 extends rearward at the tip of the flange portion 205 and above each groove 210.

As shown in FIG. 10, in a state where the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are connected to the connecting member 200, the convex portions 136 of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are inserted into the opening 218. There is. When the ink tank 100 tries to move to the right with respect to the connecting member 200 in a state where the convex portion 136 is inserted into the opening 218, the convex portion 136 comes into contact with the right edge surface 218A that partitions the right end of the opening 218. Further, when the ink tank 100 tries to move to the left with respect to the connecting member 200 in a state where the convex portion 136 is inserted into the opening 218, the convex portion 136 hits the left edge surface 218B that partitions the left end of the opening 218. Contact. However, since the outer shape of the opening 218 is slightly larger than the outer shape of the convex portion 136 in the left-right direction 9, the ink tank 100 is left and right with respect to the connecting member 200 in a state where the convex portion 136 and the opening 218 are engaged. It can move slightly in direction 9.

A plurality of convex portions 219 project upward on the upper surface of the flange portion 205. Although not shown in each figure, the convex portion 219 positions the connecting member 200 with respect to the housing 14 by engaging with the middle plate 163 of the housing 14.

The connecting portion 202 has a connecting plate 221, a guide cylinder 222, an ink needle 223, an ink flow path 224, and a joint 225.

The connecting plate 221 has a flat plate shape in which the width of 9 in the left-right direction is narrower than that of the upright portion 204. The connecting plate 221 is fixed to the upright portion 204 by screws 226. As a result, the support body 201 and the connecting portion 202 are integrally fixed.

The guide cylinder 222 has a cylindrical shape that protrudes forward from the connecting plate 221. The guide cylinder 222 extends from the rear of the standing portion 204 to the upper side of the groove 210 through the opening 215 of the standing portion 204. Four guide cylinders 222 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction 9 corresponding to each groove 210. The guide cylinder 222 can accommodate the protruding portion 157 of the ink tank 100 in its internal space. When the ink needle 223 is inserted into the through hole of the seal member 160, the guide cylinder 222 accommodates the protruding portion 157 to position the ink needle 223 and the through hole of the seal member 160.

In the internal space of the guide cylinder 222, an ink needle 223 that is a coaxial line with the guide cylinder 222 is arranged. The ink needle 223 is a tube protruding forward from the connecting plate 221. The front end of the ink needle 223 is substantially the same position as the front end of the guide cylinder 222. By inserting the ink needle 223 into the through hole of the seal member 160 of the ink tank 100, the front end of the ink needle 223 enters the ink outflow path 114. As a result, the internal space of the ink needle 223 and the ink outflow path 114 communicate with each other. The rear end of the ink needle 223 is open to the rear surface of the connecting plate 221.

An ink flow path 224 is formed on the rear surface of the connecting plate 221. The ink flow path 224 is configured as an independent flow path corresponding to each ink needle 223. The ink flow path 224 is formed by sealing the opening surface (rear surface) of the groove formed on the rear surface of the connecting plate 221 with a film (not shown). Each ink flow path 224 is continuous with the opening at the rear end of each ink needle 223. Further, each ink flow path 224 is continuous with each joint 225 formed on the upper portion of the connecting plate 221. An ink tube 32 is connected to each joint 225. The connecting portion 202 constitutes an ink flow path that communicates from the ink outflow path 114 of the ink tank 100 to the ink tube 32.

[Cap 113]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the ink tank 100 includes caps 113B, 113Y, 113C, and 113M (these may be collectively referred to as “cap 113”). The ink tank 100 includes four caps 113B, 113Y, 113C, 113M corresponding to the four supply ports 112B, 112Y, 112C, 112M of the ink tank 100.

Each cap 113 is molded from an elastically deformable material such as rubber or elastomer. Each cap 113 includes a cap portion 115, an elastically deformed portion 116, and a mounting portion 117. The configuration of each cap 113 is not limited to the configuration described below.

The cap portion 115 has an outer shape in which the convex portion 115B protrudes from the center of the disc portion 115A having a substantially disk shape.

The elastically deformed portion 116 has a band shape. One end of the elastically deformed portion 116 is connected to the cap portion 115. The other end of the elastically deformed portion 116 is connected to the mounting portion 117. As shown in FIG. 6, the elastically deformed portion 116 is in a state of being substantially straightened in a state where no force is applied from the outside. A convex portion 116A is formed at one end of the elastically deformed portion 116. The convex portion 116A projects opposite to the cap portion 115 with the elastically deformed portion 116 interposed therebetween.

The mounting portion 117 has an outer shape in which a convex portion 117B protrudes from a rectangular parallelepiped rectangular portion 117A having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The boundary between the rectangular portion 117A and the convex portion 117B is constricted. The convex portion 117B has a shape corresponding to the shape of the cap mounting portion 155 (the region defined by the ribs 151, 152, 153). That is, the convex portion 117B can be fitted with the cap mounting portion 155. Further, in a state where the convex portion 117B and the cap mounting portion 155 are fitted, the boundary between the rectangular portion 117A and the convex portion 117B is inserted into the gap 154. That is, the cap 113 is attached to the holding member 120 by fitting the convex portion 117B and the cap attachment portion 155.

The cap 113 can be moved to the sealing position shown in FIG. 1 (B) and the separated position shown in FIG. 6 while being attached to the holding member 120. The cap 113 at the sealing position seals the supply port 112 in a liquid-tight manner. The supply port 112 is opened while the cap 113 is located at a separated position. As a result, it becomes possible to inject ink into the ink chamber 111 through the supply port 112.

[How to install the tank set 99]
Hereinafter, a method of attaching the tank set 99 to the housing 14 will be described. The connecting member 200 is fixed to the housing 14 in advance by screwing. Each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M is attached to the holding member 120 and assembled to the connecting member 200 in an integrated state.

As shown in FIG. 11, each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M is attached to the holding member 120. As described above, by engaging the holding member 120 with the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, specifically, the convex portion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged, and the convex portion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged with each other. Due to the engagement, the engagement between the rib 122 and the opening 79, and the engagement between the convex portion 133 and the opening 69, each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M is moved back and forth by 7, vertically with respect to the holding member 120. It is positioned so as to be slightly movable in the direction 8 and the left-right direction 9. Further, a gap 98 is formed between the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M attached to the holding member 120, and contact with each other is suppressed.

The ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M attached to the holding member 120 are assembled from the front of the connecting member 200. At this time, the convex portions 137 of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M enter the groove 210 of the connecting member 200. As a result, the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are guided backward along the groove 210, and the protrusions 157 of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, the guide cylinder 222 of the connecting member 200, and the ink. The needle 223 and the needle 223 face each other.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are further guided rearward along the groove 210, the protruding portion 157 enters the internal space of the guide cylinder 222. As a result, the through hole of the seal member 160 and the ink needle 223 are positioned substantially coaxially.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are further moved rearward, the ink needle 223 enters the through hole of the seal member 160. As a result, the ink outflow passages 114 of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M and the internal space of each ink needle 223 communicate with each other. The rear wall 110 of each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M abuts on the front end of each rod 217, so that the user has moved each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M to the rear position. Recognize. Further, although not shown in the figure, in the holding member 120, the convex portion 78 is inserted into the hole 162 formed in the bottom plate 161 of the housing 14, and the convex portion 84 is formed in the middle plate 163 of the housing 14. By being inserted into the hole 164, the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are fixed and supported in the housing 14 while being held.

[Action and effect of this embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, in a state where the ink needle 223 has entered the through hole of the seal member 160 of each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M, the convex portion 81A on the periphery of the opening 81 of the holding member 120 is formed in each ink tank. Since the front wall 101 of 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M is in contact with the front wall 101 from the front, the elastic deformation of the sealing member 160 when the ink needle 223 enters causes the front wall 101 of each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M to move forward. Even if a moving force acts, the ink needle 223 is prevented from coming out from the through hole of the seal member 160.

Further, since the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M can be slightly moved in the vertical direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 in the state of being engaged with the holding member 120, the through hole of the seal member 160 and the ink. Each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M is positioned with reference to the connection position with the needle 223. As a result, the axis line between the through hole of the seal member 160 and the ink needle 223 is prevented from being displaced.

Further, the engagement between the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M and the holding member 120 prevents the films 142, 143 of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M from coming into contact with each other.

Further, by engaging the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M with the connecting member 200, specifically, by engaging the convex portion 136 with the opening 218, the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M The contact of the films 142 and 143 with each other is further suppressed.

Further, the first line 146 and the second line 147 can be visually recognized through the opening 81 in a state where the holding member 120 covers the front of each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M.

[Modification example]
In the above embodiment, the holding member 120 and the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M are engaged with the convex portion 108 and the opening 79, the convex portion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged with each other, and the convex portion 130. The opening 79 is engaged, and the convex portion 133 and the opening 69 are engaged. The shape, arrangement, number, and the like of these engaging portions are examples, and may be changed as appropriate.

Further, in the above embodiment, both the holding member 120 and the connecting member 200 are fixed to the housing 14, but only one of the holding member 120 or the connecting member 200 may be fixed to the housing 14. For example, the connecting member 200 may be fixed to the housing 14, and the holding member 120 may be fixed to the connecting member 200.

Further, in the above embodiment, ink has been described as an example of a liquid, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, instead of the ink, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected to the recording paper prior to the ink during printing, or water that is sprayed in the vicinity of the nozzle 40 of the recording head 39 to prevent the nozzle 40 of the recording head 39 from drying out. However, it may be an example of a liquid.

10 ... Multifunction device (supply device)
14 ... Housing 69, 79, 80 ... Opening (first engaging part)
80 ... Opening 81A ... Convex part (contact part)
100 ... Ink tank 111 ... Ink chamber (liquid storage chamber)
112 ... Supply port 114 ... Ink outflow path (liquid flow path)
120 ... Holding member 141 ... Tank body 142, 143 ... Film 146 ... First line (first mark)
147 ... 2nd line (2nd mark)
157 ... Protruding part (liquid supply part)
200 ... Connecting member 202 ... Connecting portion 218 ... Opening (example of second engaging portion)
223 ... Ink needle (tube)

Claims (8)

A pair of first surfaces facing the first direction along the horizontal direction, a second surface connecting the pair of first surfaces, and the second surface orthogonal to the first direction and along the horizontal direction. A liquid supply unit having a liquid storage chamber partitioned by a third surface separated from the two surfaces, a supply port for supplying liquid to the liquid storage chamber, and a liquid flow path extending from the liquid storage chamber in the second direction. With a tank equipped with
A holding member that holds a part of the tank from one of the second directions,
A connecting member having a connecting portion for flowing the liquid by connecting to the liquid supply portion from the other side in the second direction with respect to the tank.
A housing that supports at least one of the holding member and the connecting member is provided.
The second surface and the third surface are composed of a tank body.
At least a part of each of the pair of first surfaces is composed of a film attached to the tank body.
The holding member is a supply device having a contact portion that comes into contact with the tank body from one of the second directions and a first engaging portion that engages the tank body with the tank body so that the tank can move in the first direction. .. The connecting member has a plurality of connecting portions that are connected to each of the liquid supply portions in a state where the plurality of the tanks are lined up along the first direction.
The supply according to claim 1, wherein the holding member has a plurality of the first engaging portions for engaging the plurality of tanks arranged along the first direction with a gap from each other in the first direction. apparatus. The supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting member has a second engaging portion in which the tank is movable in the first direction and engages with the tank body. The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holding member accommodates a part of the tank body so that the tank can move in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. .. The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing supports the holding member and the connecting member, respectively. The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting portion has a tube inserted into the liquid flow path. The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the holding member has an opening that exposes a part of the tank body in the second direction. A part of the tank body exposed by the opening of the holding member has a first mark provided at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber is the first amount. The seventh aspect of claim 7 is provided with a second mark provided at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber is a second amount less than the first amount. Supply device.

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